Airborne 08.18.17

Pilots Able To Escape Burning Plane

A Japanese F-2B fighter jet crashed
on takeoff Wednesday from Nagoya Airport, destroying the aircraft
and leaving its two pilots with minor injuries.

The fighter was departing for a pre-delivery test flight when it
suddenly tipped downward, skidding along the ground, The Associated
Press reports. National television station NHK showed footage of
the pilots jumping out of the burning aircraft.

The aircraft was to be delivered to the Japan Air Self Defense
Force, according to Hideo Ikuno, a spokesman for the PR firm
representing Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, the aircraft's
manfacturer. Both pilots were employees of MHI.

The post-impact fire was extinguished within 10 minuted of the
accident, Ikuno said, and the two pilots were transported to an
area hospital.